Sunday, 28 December 2014

The Year of Slumps [A 2014 Round Up of Sorts]

Unfortunately, 2014 hasn't been my best year for blogging and reading. I was pretty much in reading and blogging slumps periodically throughout the year and if I wasn't in a blogging slump, then I'd be in a reading slump and vice versa. Bleugh. I also had some bad anxiety issues - struggling with exam stress and stuff - but let's not get in to that.

However, 2015 is looking up already and I'm planning on diving into it head first! I received an unconditional for the university I was most wanting to get in to (which will alleviate some exam stress when the time comes, I'm sure!), got a job which will hopefully help me get through said university and there's a puppy on the way to join my family! Though I'm excited for all these things, I'm also very anxious. I hope I'll be able to juggle everything!

I will also be leaving school in 2015 (seeing as I'm in the last year of secondary school right now) and that, in itself, is absolutely terrifying. I'M JUST NOT READY.

Anyway, moving on.

I've read 29 books and (counting this one) written 56 blog posts so far this year. However, I still have time to get these pitiful numbers up in the remaining few days. ;) I'm only one book away from reaching my Goodreads goal after all (yes, I only aimed to read 30 books this year 'cause I knew it'd be a stressful year). However, even though I'm 'on track', my current read is a chunky one so I don't know if I'll have it finished in time!

Out of these 29 books, only 2 received a full five stars from me. The Screaming Staircase (Lockwood and Co. #1) by Jonathan Stroud and City of Heavenly Fire (The Mortal Instruments #6) by Cassandra Clare. I think I've become incredibly stingy with dishing out five star ratings.

Click HERE to view my favourite post I wrote this year and HERE to view my most viewed post of 2014.

Okay, so I'm not very good at these round up posts. Maybe 'cause this year's just been such a flop in terms of reading and blogging so... yeah, I'm gonna go.

18 comments:

Ahh Rachel, I totally get the anxiety thing! I have my exams in 5 months and I'm already freaking out. Actually, I've been freaking out about my exams the whole year, which is pretty pathetic. -.- I'm SO glad you loved The Screaming Staircase - I loved it, too! Let me know when you read the sequel!

That's so exciting that you're getting a puppy, I remember you talking about him on Twitter!

I hope that next year we'll both have a more stress-free year and get more books read and more posts written! Happy new year, Rachel! <3

I know it probably won't help (considering it didn't for me, for the most part!) but just remember your exam results don't decide what happens to your life and your future. :) You'll survive them! & I'll make sure to!

I'm so sorry you're dealing with anxiety - I'm a freshman in high-school and I've been getting bad anxiety, but I'm sure it's nothing like what you have. However, I know how stress is, but you will get through it!! I believe in you!:D Glad you enjoyed City of Heavenly Fire :) I'm reading it right now. Only 30 pages in, but it's already fantastic.Hope you have a great New Years!

Well I decided to study what I love... English Literature. If you don't know what you want to do, go for the thing you love - there's a chance you'll probably end up doing something in it! Over the past year, I've more or less thought about becoming a publisher and then writer but this isn't a 100% guarantee that I'm going to end up doing these things. If I wake up one day and don't want to go down that path anymore, I won't be annoyed that I chose to study English at uni. That's what worked for me then. But I think I probably will because I love it. Just not English teaching though. :3

Basically, don't stress too much if you have ZERO clue what you want to be. & also, know you don't need to be 100% set in your ways. I'm not close to 100% certain I want to be a publisher, but I'm willing to go down that road right now! ;P

Sorry to hear this years been a stressful one! I also neglected my blog multiple times due to numerous reading slumps and blogging stress, so I can relate! But hey, you almost reached your goal and that's something to be pleased with.

It looks like you've got some great things coming up in 2015 and I hope it all works out for you. Let's hope next year is better for both of us x

Although I haven't done my exams yet, we did have a mock week which I spent a lot of my time revising for, meaning no time for reading. When the mocks were over, I still couldn't get myself to read anything. It was horrible! In a way I understand you haha :)

I think 2014 has just been a particularly bad year for a lot of people :( Sorry to hear it was a tough year for you too.But yay!! you are graduating high school! That's a huge milestone for 2015, so I shall extend my early congratulations <3 Rachel, don't stress about it, and just hang on and enjoy the ride! It'll be an exciting new chapter in life coming up, and you'll be just fine, trust me :) Happy New Year!

Omg I completely understand that feeling about leaving school -- I'm only a junior but I already feel so scared right now, especially since I'm still undecided about what to major in uni. Anyway, I wish you best of luck! I'm sure you'll do well in university and job life since you put a lot of effort in them.

*huge hug* YOU ARE GOING TO BE AMAZING THIS YEAR, RACHEL!!! GO AND RULE 2015!! This post made me so excited and I have no idea why but OMG COHF AND YES I HAD SOME BAD READING SLUMPS THIS YEAR AND I'M SO HAPPY 2015 IS LOOKING UP FOR YOUU!! Happy New Year!